Celtic Diary Thursday June 16: Not Long Now….

Two weeks today the whole circus starts again.

The list of official pre season friendlies has been released, and the first game for Celtic is on the 30th June,

June 2016

July 2016

These will be followed by the games against  Barcelona in Dublin on July 30th, and Inter on August 13, probably in Limerick. The somewhat unorthodox format of the International Champions Cup against three sides who will undoubtedly be understrength as they have players attending the 2016 European Football Hooligan Championships means that Brenadan Rodgers has a better than average chance of getting in some early-and prestiguous -silverware.

O course, the Leicester game is a mere sideshow on the 23rd, as the real event takes place that evening in Malones, where the Etims readers, contributors and anyone else you can think of will indulge in a refreshing glass of light ale and discuss the days events.

The bar has been in touch, incidentally, and would like an idea of numbers, presumably to make sure they’ve got enough beer, and those planning to attend , if you could put an aye in the comments so we can let them know..

There’s  half a dozen coming from Stoke, so if we could at least make it double figures that would boost the bars takings by a few hundred quid.

Thats the pre season fixtures out, and tomorrow the real stuff is released, as the SPFL announce the league games. Don’t be surprised if their favourite team, “rangers ” gets the first home tie against Celtic, so that they get the two home games in before the split, after which they are not expected to have to face Celtic again.

Incidentally, speaking of the dark force of Scottish football, their pre season games have been announced as well;

Well, game;

Thats on the official Charleston Battery website.

Don’t you just love the spin….it’s a good job they’re playing in the USA, where hardly anyone ever sues anybody for telling fibbers….and its a good job no-one writing a daily diary points this out to any of the US based readers, or that advert could cause havoc….

Is it worth causing havoc ?

It could, with any luck , force Level 5, plainly the brains behind the ad, into an embarrassing climbdown.

I’ve sent them an email, via the home page on their website pointing out what happened to Rangers in 2012, and why.

Take a moment to do the same thing today. Its only fair, as you could save that poor club millions, and even possibly keep them from going the same way as the Glasgow club they think they are playing.

Well, as it appears the SFA won’t do it, and Celtic won’t do it, we’ll have to do it.

Somehow, this might force the issue. American businesses are terrified of legal proceedings.

Have you done it yet ?

I’ll away and have a cigarette while you’re doing that…

Charleston Battery Website

You could include a couple of pictures to help them appreciate the gravity of the situation…

I have.

By the way, with the game taking place in the USA, one wonders of Joey Barton will get a visa, as he spent some time at her majesty’s pleasure a while ago, and this may create difficulties for the US trip.

Unless he is injured, or not match fit, or something.

On with the show, and rumours of signings grow louder each day, as sporting websites and print publications continue to link the hoops with new players, even though we have it on good authority that there aren’t enough lockers for any more at the Lennoxtown complex, even with the recent departures.

Speaking of which, Stefan Scepovic hasn’t actually gone anywhere yet, although Getafe have had to pay a loan fee which means we’ve already raked in just short of a million pounds, and if he plays in the pre season games, and someone decides to actually pass to him, he may save us even more.

The other names being mentioned are still the same as before, and are accompanied by phrases such as “closing on on the signing of “, “set to swoop for ” ” in talks with ” and “look like getting stuck with ” -oh wait, the last one is mine, and therefore deserve little else but a passing mention.

Mind you , if they’re any good at passing we should get them in pronto. It’ll be a refreshing change.

One quote, however, did catch the eye, from former Swansea striker Michu, repeated in the Scotsman…

“Celtic is a massive club both in Scotland and across Europe, a team that every player would love to play for. I saw that Brendan Rodgers had become the new Celtic boss. He is a great manager.”

And….he was waving this about while he said it; 

To the papers, and Tom Boyd, the only ex Celt who remembers he’s an ex Celt, has given his views on Joey Barton, the man employed by Level 5 to distract everyone from the absence of a manger, some money and a squad capable of competing at the highest level over at Ibrox.

Take it away… Tommy!

Hang on, I might have to nip out for another cigarette. Speaking of smoking, I’ve got a dodgy leg just now, sciatica they say, though I’m due an MRI scan to determine whether or not I need surgery, which will be a hoot, and the doctor assessing me the other day, pointed out that whether or not I smoke could determine whether or not I get the operation.

I don;t drink except on a Friday or when i go to the game these days, I don’t gamble, and smoking is my only vice.

As I told the doc, a lovely lady who stripped me down to my underpants  and made me do all sorts of exercise, I can’t even chase women any more as my dodgy leg means I can’t catch them.

She didn’t feel sorry for me in the slightest. And I’m sure she took some photos of me in my underwear to show her mates. Well, I asked her to…

Anyway, back to the bold Tom Boyd…

“Joey is certainly making an impact in Scottish football already.

“I think there’s a hint of jealousy there that he’s not pulling on the hoops. He is a lifelong Celtic supporter, he’s supported us for a number of years.

“So I just think he’s jealous that he’s not getting to play alongside Scott Brown or that Brendan didn’t come in for him. I think that’s the reason why he’s shouting off his mouth now.

“It’s a little bit of banter and I’m sure (the media) all love that. I’ve no doubt Celtic supporters will have a wee song about him.”

Boyd was asked if Brown would have to prove himself against Barton…

“No chance,” said Boyd. “A Celtic captain? A Scotland captain with the medals Scott has won? No danger. This won’t bother Scott at all”

I think the words “no chance ” may have been printed instead of the real words used by Boyd, one of which was probably “off “

With Knob of the Week just a day away, Frank McGarvey has been clinging on like a bull terrier to his chances, and added more to his effort yesterday..

A goal ? As I recall Charlie bagged quite a few. Like Celtic did on the last day when Griffths wasn’t playing.

Get your nominations in for the award, announced tomorrow. Strong cases can be made this week for Gordon Smith, Frank McGarvey and more than a few others, and keep your eyes peeled for those last minute contributions…

Yesterdays caption competiton…

and we have a convincing winner, who should check his emails as he has become the third winner of a copy of the Secret Assistant Manager..

Which, if you’re not very good at capions, you can still buy on amazon, for less than a pound.